Dear God

Dear God,

Please be with Mackenzie today. On Tuesday, I picked her up from camp and she burst into tears as soon as she walked out the classroom door. She was practically inconsolable and couldn’t stop crying the whole way home. Finally, at home I heard about the experiences she had at camp over the last 2 days. She said that the kids in her group were excluding her and calling her names (“baby”, “boy”). She said that even though she was at Shutterbug camp, she only got to take 2 pictures because the other girls in her group wouldn’t share the camera with her. She explained how there was one specific girl who was the leader and who was convincing the other girls to be mean to her. How all the other girls knew each other from outside of camp. She told me that she went to the teacher (counselor) and told him what was going on. He told the “mean” kids that they would lose their computer time because of their behaviour - yet Kenzie was the one that didn’t get a turn on the computer when all the other kids did. I was so angry, so sad and so heartbroken on her behalf. I told her she wouldn’t have to go back to camp ever again.

Yesterday (Canada Day) was a much needed day off. But after talking to a number of friends and family I was convinced that it would be in Kenzie’s best interest to at least give it another shot and “not let the bullies win”. I convinced her to go back to camp, suggesting that maybe her grandmother would be allowed to sit in her class and be an observer. Finally she agreed to go with “Omi”.

This morning, we took her to camp and had a chat with the director. Unfortunately he said that Omi could not join them in class but that he would talk to the counselor and also have another teacher there keeping an eye on the situation. We relayed this to Kenzie and she said she didn’t want to go. She looked scared and upset. It took everything in my being to stop from scooping her up and taking her home. But instead I convinced her to be strong and to go back and face her fears. My little shy girl was so brave and strong and she agreed to go. She walked into the class and sat down by herself waiting for the counselor to take control and start the day’s activities. I couldn’t stay and watch. I had to leave her there to take care of herself. (I am sitting in my office and have tears streaming down my face).

My baby is only 6 years old. I can’t believe she is dealing with bullying. Isn’t bullying something that happens when kids are older – like in their teens? Why does it have to happen to Mackenzie who is so sweet and kind and wouldn’t hurt a fly. This is the girl that singings to her brother when he is sad. This is the girl that stands up for the little boy in her class who gets teased about his glasses. This is the girl who, when her baby brother was born, had not a single once of jealousy – all she wanted was to help take care of him. This is my baby who writes sweet notes and draws pictures for everyone she knows.

Ugh. Please God. Be with her and take care of her. Please help her to have a good day. Please help things to go in her favor and let her be strong and make new “good” friends. Please hold her hand and help her to know she is not alone. Help her to overcome this obstacle and come out of it stronger and kinder (knowing how hurtful mean people can be). Her report card said that she was a leader… Please help her to use this experience as a learning experience so that she can be a strong solid and compassionate leader in the future. Be with her today. Please.